A Health and Demographic Surveillance System in a Low Socioeconomic Setting in Karachi, Pakistan

The purpose of Karachi Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) is to generate longitudinal information on health and demographics of low socioeconomic population and provide platform for larger projects in efforts for diseases control. It covers an area of 19 square-kilometers at five peri-urban and urban communities in Karachi with focus on maternal and child health. In quarterly visits, Community health workers (CHWs) followed 67802 women of reproductive age, identify new pregnancies and followed them until their outcome. In the year 2012 it has GFR 135.1, CBR 33.7, NMR 45, IMR 62 <5 years mortality 72 and MMR of 372.